//------------------------------// // Concluding the Search // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's been two and a half weeks since the search of the CMC commenced. Princess Celestia has been monitoring the days of the wedding's arrival. Canterlot has two weeks to prepare the wedding of Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Twilight Sparkle hold the final meeting of the search with the Royal Guards. "It is my deepest regard that I must inform all search teams to conclude the search," Princess Celestia firmly states. "We thank you for your services," Princess Luna said. "We understood Princesses since we were unsuccessful in our search throughout all of Equestria. We can only assume for the worse that has happened to the young fillies." "Understood," Princess Celestia said as she closes her eyes. Then she turns to Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle." Twilight looks at Princess Celestia. "Promise me this'll never happen again in Ponyville." "I promise to compromise when situations are at its peak, Princess Celestia." "Thank you, Twilight. Now return home." "Yes, Princess Celestia." Princess Celestia sighs as Twilight leaves the meeting with her head hung low. Princess Luna tells the Royal Guards to inform everypony searching to go home. She and her sister fly back to Canterlot. On the way back to Ponyville, Twilight meets up with her friends; Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Rarity is a wreck. She's been crying on the way back since they were unsuccessful in their search. Rarity is fearing for the worse with Sweetie Belle on her mind. She hates herself for being the cause of Gabby Gums's popularity and downfall. "Hey.., girls," Twilight said dismally. "Hey, Twilight," The girls respond sadly. "No luck, huh?" Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy shook their head slowly. Rarity couldn't respond to Twilight. She kept on thinking about Sweetie Belle. "Rarity?" Twilight nervously asks. Rarity doesn't respond. Twilight takes a deep breath. "I know this is an unfortunate situation when losing someone close to you. I understand you may not want to talk right now. Just know that we're here to help you any way we can. Right Pinkie, Fluttershy?" The two nod in agreement. Rarity looks at Twilight in the eyes. "When you manage to find spare time, all of you, help me find my younger sister," Tears stream down on Rarity's face. Her eyes are red from the weeping during her failed search attempt. "We will, Rarity. Cross my heart. Hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye," Twilight does the Pinkie Promise ritual, ensuring Rarity her promise is sacred. "Thanks, Twilight," Rarity weakly thanked. Twilight smiles to reassure Rarity that she will be reunited with her sister, soon. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy group hug Rarity then walk back to Ponyville. The girls decided to pay a visit to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Big Mac and Applejack. On the way there, The girls find Rainbow Dash having trouble taking a nap on a nearby cloud. They see Rainbow shifting and turning like she's suffering from a gruesome nightmare. Rainbow Dash yells Scootaloo's name and wakes up panting. "Rainbow Dash! Are you alright?!" Twilight shouts a few feet below Rainbow Dash. "NO!" Rainbow cries out loud. She looks down to see Twilight and her friends. "I had another nightmare!" Rainbow flops onto her back on the cloud. Fluttershy flies up to Rainbow Dash. "Another nightmare?" Fluttershy calmly and quietly asks. "Yes... Fluttershy. I lost count of how many nightmares I suffered after fifteen." "Fifteen nightmares..?" Fluttershy nervously asks. "Yes," Rainbow sighs sadly. "I lost count after fifteen. I have been on the edge ever since I decided to stop searching for Scootaloo. With the Apple family needed rainwater for the crops and trees, I was best suited to help them," Rainbow looks at Fluttershy. "Were you able to find them?" Fluttershy shook her head slowly. Rainbow covers her eyes and sobs. Rainbow hates herself for inflicting the CMC with rainwater out of anger and spite. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity can hear Rainbow Dash sobbing loudly. They remain silent as Fluttershy comforts Rainbow. "I... I don't know what to do, Fluttershy. I don't know if I can live with myself for the actions I committed..." Fluttershy softly rubs Rainbow's back with her front hoof. "You can live with yourself by redeeming yourself," Fluttershy calmly said as she continues to rub Rainbow's back. "How?!" Rainbow shouts causing Fluttershy to flinch and quiver a bit. "Sorry, Flutters, I didn't mean to react like that..." "Start by forgiving yourself. You need to heal to move on in life, Rainbow." "Easier said than done..." "It takes time. You have plenty with the pace you go when getting things done." "Heh, good one," Rainbow chuckles a bit. "Forgive yourself and let all of the emotions out of you. Then during our times off, we conduct our search to find the CMC." "Okay," Rainbow said. "I'll give it a shot." "Good," Fluttershy smiles. "Let's go see Applejack." Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash trot their way to Sweet Apple Acres. On the way there, Twilight sees the entire Apple Family except Applejack having brunch outside. Twilight has a flashback of her first brunch with the Apple Family, seeing Apple Bloom for the first time and getting to know her a little during that time. Twilight and the girls meet up with the Apple Family. "Hey, Apple Family," Twilight said. "Hey," They all respond except for Applejack. "Have you seen Applejack?" Twilight asks. "Applejack is still in her room. She hasn't come out since we slept over last night. We figured she may need a little time for herself," Braeburn said. "Alright, then. My friends and I will go see her." Twilight and the girls enter the Apple house and walk upstairs towards Applejack's room. They can hear Applejack muttering through the door. Twilight opens the door slightly to see Applejack talking to a makeshift Apple Bloom pillow. "That's right, Apple Bloom. I'm not mad at you. I'm sorry for how I acted and treated you," Applejack snuggles the Apple Bloom makeshift pillow. "I won't allow anypony to bully you again. If I hear you are getting bullied, I'll buck their teeth down their throats!" Twilight closes the door and looks at her friends in shock and horror. Twilight sees Applejack as a broken pony. "Applejack has lost it. We gotta snap her out of it," Twilight said. Her eyes flickered in shock from the disturbance side of Applejack. "What's happening with Applejack?" Rainbow asks curiously. "Applejack made a makeshift Apple Bloom from a pillow. She's talking to the pillow as we speak. We gotta help her before she gets worse." "Well, this is the second time I've heard somepony talking to inanimate objects," Rainbow turns to Pinkie. "Hey, during that time when you saw me talking to inanimate objects. I thought you and the girls were avoiding Gummy's party," Pinkie exclaimed. "Well, Applejack lost her sister for the time being. She's accepted it crudely." Without hesitation, Rainbow Dash barges in the room. Applejack looks at Rainbow Dash smiling. "Howdy, Rainbow Dash. You here to see Apple Bloom?" "Yea, about that," Rainbow bucks the makeshift pillow of Apple Bloom. Applejack tackles Rainbow. "Why the hay you did that, Rainbow?!" Applejack snorts. Rainbow slaps Applejack in the face. "You are losing yourself cause of what transpired weeks ago! You are not excepting the reality of the situation," Rainbow pants. Twilight and the others walk in slowly. Rarity is in tears. Not only cause her sister is lost but seeing Applejack losing herself. "Be honest with yourself, Applejack. Is this the type of pony Apple Bloom would see when she returns?" Eyes widen for Applejack. She stumbles backward. She now sees the Apple Bloom makeshift pillow and looks at the ceiling in disbelief. "Did I.., really made a makeshift Apple Bloom from my pillow..?" "Yes, you have," Rainbow said. "What is wrong with me?" "Like Rarity and I, you are going through a tough stretch. Even though Scootaloo is not my biological sister, she looked up to me as one. We failed them. Plain and simple. Instead of succumbing to insanity, let's make amends and focus on our true objective. Finding the CMC and reuniting as a family." Twilight and the others agreed with a simple nod. "For now, we need to heal," Rainbow looks at Fluttershy. "All of us need to heal after the incident. When we are one hundred twenty percent better, then we can start our search." "Sounds good, Rainbow," Applejack sniffs and hugs Rainbow. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy group hug Applejack and Rainbow Dash for a brief while. The silence and serenity help everypony in the room within the group hug. After a half-hour, the girls decided to meet with the rest of the Apple Family for brunch. "Howdy, Applejack! How are you feeling?" Braeburn said energetically. All of the Apple Family look at Applejack curiously and worriedly. Applejack slightly smiles. "I'm a bit better," Applejack calmy said.